Wednesday, 30 November 2011

The UK's managers are increasingly allowing their staff more flexibility in their working lives and are also more tolerant of their behaviour in the workplace, according to a new survey.

A new poll commissioned by Vodafone reveals that 70 per cent of UK managers think that the idea of the nine to five working is dying out, while nine out of ten enable their staff to work flexibly to some extent, rather than expecting them to stick rigidly to traditional working hours.

Meanwhile, six out of ten managers said that they did not mind staff doing personal things such as phoning family members or checking their social networking accounts in the office, as long as they get their work done.

Peter Kelly, enterprise director at Vodafone UK, said the research shows that a "cultural shift" has started, with bosses realising that successful businesses must focus on generating results, not on monitoring what employees do at their desks.

"A new generation of workers is coming through the ranks. They prefer fitting work around their lives rather than the other way around. People don't mind doing some work in the evening or at the weekend, but expect bosses to cut them some slack," he added.

Tuesday, 29 November 2011

Employers are always keen to see examples of work experience on the CVs of job candidates, but it is surprising how many people omit this information from their resume, one expert has stated.

Jo Barnard, director of Quest Professional, employers have always placed an emphasis on previous work experience when looking to recruit, but it is arguably more important than ever in the current economic climate with competition for jobs so high.

She explained that, going forward, it is going to be important that people have some form of practical experience that shows they have taken responsibility on their CV, even if it is unpaid work.

"Employers do look for it, it gives them the comfort zone that somebody has been prepared to go out and find voluntary work, and find work experience. I think that shows they have been prepared to give up their time," the expert explained.

She described work experience as a "valuable tool" when assessing someone, and also for a young person to skill-sample an industry before being offered employment.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for universitiesnet.com recently said if people have taken time out after university for a gap year spent travelling or volunteering, they should not feel the pressure to brush over this period on their CV, but rather see it as an opportunity to enhance it.

For some of the best CV advice and tips visit the career tools section of www.aaronwallis.co.uk. Stacked with hints, tips and advice the Aaron Wallis career tools section is the right solution for you.

Monday, 28 November 2011

Some 6.1 million people over the age of 50 expect to work past the current state retirement age, according to a new poll, representing 28 per cent of this demographic.

Figures compiled by LV following a poll of thousands of workers found that one in five over-50s expect to work for at least a decade past the current state retirement age, with affordability cited as the key reason.

A further 11 per cent want to delay taking out their pension in the hope its value will increase over time, while 37 per cent of those planning to work beyond state retirement age would do so because they enjoyed the job.

Ray Chinn, LV head of pensions, said: "The trend of people retiring well into their 60s, or even their 70s, has been increasing slowly over the last few years, and we're likely to see this increase further."

According to a recent global survey from Mercer, older members of staff are less likely to be satisfied with their jobs than younger workers, yet also less likely to leave their current role.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK salesjobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

During the month of Movember some of the team at Aaron Wallis in Milton Keynes have been growing and grooming moustaches to celebrate the month of Movember.

As walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November and through their actions and words raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health.

Each team member is independently raising funds but you can help by voting for your favourite Aaron Wallis ‘Mo Bro’. By voting Aaron Wallis will donate 50p per vote to Men’s Health charities.

The government's pledge to reduce the amount of bureaucracy firms encounter when complying with Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) will be good news for the country's recruiters, according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).

Last week, business secretary Vince Cable made a commitment to evaluate the administrative implications of the AWR within the next 18 months.

He noted that "flexible labour markets are an "essential" component of a successful economy and said it is vital that they function in a way that employers "have the confidence to take on new workers and create new jobs".

Responding to Mr Cable's speech, Gillian Econopouly, the REC's head of policy, said the commitment to identify and address unnecessary bureaucracy around AWR implementation is "good news".

"We have agreed to provide the government with regular member feedback, starting with our first post-AWR meeting with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills this week," she added.

For all of the latest sales industry news visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk. If you are looking to hire in your sales team Aaron Wallis offer the UK’s most inclusive sales recruitment service which includes skills testing, psychometrics and a 12 month rebate scheme as standard. For Sales Director jobs visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk.

Some 6.1 million people over the age of 50 expect to work past the current state retirement age, according to a new poll, representing 28 per cent of this demographic.

Figures compiled by LV following a poll of thousands of workers found that one in five over-50s expect to work for at least a decade past the current state retirement age, with affordability cited as the key reason.

A further 11 per cent want to delay taking out their pension in the hope its value will increase over time, while 37 per cent of those planning to work beyond state retirement age would do so because they enjoyed the job.

Ray Chinn, LV head of pensions, said: "The trend of people retiring well into their 60s, or even their 70s, has been increasing slowly over the last few years, and we're likely to see this increase further."

According to a recent global survey from Mercer, older members of staff are less likely to be satisfied with their jobs than younger workers, yet also less likely to leave their current role.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK salesjobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Friday, 25 November 2011

More focus is being put on getting young people in the UK into employment, under a new government strategy.

Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg has unveiled the youth contract scheme, which will operate over the next three years.

The plan will see £1 billion being provided to employers across the country so that they can supply work and training placements to those between 18 and 24 years old.

Up to 160,000 youths are set to benefit from the strategy, in which each business will be able to take advantage of subsidies worth £2,275 in order to bring young people into the workplace for six months at a time.

Commenting on the new youth contract scheme, Mr Clegg told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It provides hope to the many, many young people who, at the moment, are feeling, very anxious and uncertain about their future."

News of the strategy follows on from the release of statistics by the Department for Education, which revealed that the number of youths in the UK not in education, employment or training has now topped a record high of 1.16 million.

Based in Milton Keynes, Aaron Wallis are a recruitment and sales training business committed to sales excellence.

People who are finding it difficult to secure a full-time job have been advised on how going into self-employment could be a beneficial choice.

Dr Dianne Bown-Wilson, small business advisor and age management specialist at in my prime, pointed out that the economic woes have meant jobs are in short supply.

As a result, travelling down the self-employment route has become much more of an "attractive choice" for those still searching for work.

"There are a number of advantages to setting up in business when times are hard, including the fact that it is possible to win business on a strategy of offering lower prices and a better and more flexible level of service in comparison to larger competitors," Ms Bown-Wilson explained.

Furthermore, the expert believes that the recent recession and economic troubles has helped in making people more innovative in the business sphere.

When it comes to keeping morale up in a workplace at a time where pay rises are not an option, a study by People 1st Training Company and ICM Research found that 66 per cent of workers would be grateful if their employer offered training and career development opportunities.

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Thursday, 24 November 2011

Training and career development could be used by employers to keep those in sales jobs and other areas of work happy.

A new study carried out by the People 1st Training Company and ICM Research showed that 66 per cent of staff would feel better about their line of work if such options were on offer to them.

Furthermore, almost two-thirds (60 per cent) of respondents to the survey acknowledged that they would feel less inclined to look elsewhere for a job if career development opportunities and training seminars were put in place at their current employer.

More than half (53 per cent) also believe that they would improve their work productivity by being given further training.

Sharon Glancy, from the People 1st Training Company, pointed out: "The appetite for leadership and management training shows we have a working population that is ambitious to step-up and progress their careers."

In the run-up to the festive season, Phil McCabe, senior policy adviser at the Forum of Private Business, was recently keen to note that businesses who cancel a Christmas party could see that their decision has a "negative effect" on workplace morale.

Aaron Wallis offer a Skills Testing service to employers overseen by British Psychological Society (BPS) level B accredited staff. Offering a wide range of skills testing services including psychometrics, ability testing and aptitude tests you can rest assured that Aaron Wallis can offer the right solution for you.

Flexible working opportunities are not being taken up by many small and medium sized businesses, a new study has suggested.

According to a survey conducted by O2 to support the launch of its Joined Up People strategy, 25 per cent of firms questioned did not have any technology in place to accompany flexible working opportunities.

Furthermore, there were just over a quarter of businesses (26 per cent) which had established a remote working solution for their staff to take advantage of.

Commenting on the figures, Claire Darley, head of small business sales at O2, was keen to stress the importance of having flexible working options open to staff.

She explained: "By allowing employees to be smarter about the way that they work and giving them the tools they need, we believe that many small businesses can actually deliver on some of the key business objectives they are setting themselves."

Transport minster Norman Baker also pointed out recently that, in his opinion, allowing a workforce to operate flexibly is now "simply the smart thing to do".

Wednesday, 23 November 2011

The Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) 2011 could see businesses changing the way they hire temporary staff members.

Reculver Solicitors' James Carmody gave this view on the new rules, which state that after 12 weeks of going through qualifying, temporary workers will be given the right to be paid the same pay as permanent staff.

The expert was keen to point out that he does not believe the regulations will alter the number of employees taken on by businesses across the UK.

However, he noted that it could have a significant effect on how long firms allow temporary assignments to carry on for per staff member.

Expanding on this point, Mr Carmody said: "It would be very unfortunate for the temp in question if the employer gets rid of them after 11 weeks, only to replace them with another temp doing the same thing."

His views come soon after research conducted by Hudson revealed that many managers see agency workers as being more reliable and focused than permanent staff.

For some of the best CV advice and tips visit the career tools section ofwww.aaronwallis.co.uk. Stacked with hints, tips and advice the Aaron Wallis career tools section is the right solution for you.

Businesses are to be given more incentive to boost skills and growth within their desired sector, under a new government strategy.

Minister for skills John Hayes and the business secretary Vince Cable have launched the second phase of the Growth and Innovation Fund (GIF).

Under the strategy, the Department for Business Innovation & Skills (BIS) will inject £34 million in 2012/13 in order to allow companies to advance their skills solutions.

A further £29 million will also be made available by the BIS for businesses to bid for, while comparable levels of investment are planned for the two years after the initial undertaking.

Mr Cable pointed out: "By putting the employer's voice at the heart of the process, we will reward inventive approaches to training that deliver real help to get business moving."

Meanwhile, Tim Drake, author of You Can Be As Young As You Think: Six Steps to Staying Younger and Feeling Sharper, has noted that young-brained Brits, who display creativity and enthusiasm in job interviews, will have more chance to move further along their career path.

Tuesday, 22 November 2011

The upcoming London 2012 Olympics is set to have a significant impact on creating a "better Britain" in the long term.

According to a survey conducted by Cisco, 40 per cent of employees already believe that next year's Games are having a positive effect on the UK's economic infrastructure.

Cisco, which is the official network infrastructure provider for both the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, also highlighted that 49 per cent of respondents are keen that the major sporting events can help the country overall.

Furthermore, more than half of those studied (51 per cent) acknowledged that the Olympics can enhance morale and patriotism across the UK.

Neil Crockett, Cisco managing director for London 2012, stated: "I am confident that London 2012 is just the starting point in building a brilliant future for the UK.

"Business, education and interest in sport and technology can all flourish as a result of the Olympic and Paralympic Games."

Cisco's study follows on from Phil Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise UK, claiming that the British jobs market has been resilient over the past 18 months.

Monday, 21 November 2011

Employers have been further encouraged to adopt flexible working practices in sales jobs and other roles within their businesses.

Transport Minster Norman Baker has looked to get the message of this line of work across to those in the UK with more effect by setting up the 'Anywhere Working' strategy.

The scheme will outline the advantages which can be had by enhancing their workplace so that it includes more flexible working environments.

Vodafone, Microsoft, Business in the Community and Regus are among those involved in the consortium, while the Trades Union Congress and Transport for London are among the institutes to back the scheme.

Mr Baker commented: "In a world where communication technologies offer the means to travel around the world in an instant without travelling at all, encouraging individuals and business to think flexibly about what 'being there' means is simply the smart thing to do."

In other possible changes coming to the UK's workplace in the years to come, an Office Angels survey has suggested that the traditional nine to five shift will soon be a thing of the past.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK salesjobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Businesses have been advised that social networks could prove "extremely valuable assets" to all members of staff if integrated into the workplace.

This is the view of Tim Gibbon, director at communications consultancy Elemental, who pointed out that both employees and companies can benefit by taking advantage of portals such as Facebook and Google+.

For example, the expert acknowledged that online resources can allow a business to build a stronger base with their customers, as well as get across promotional activities more effectively.

The message comes soon after a poll of 100 HR directors across the UK by The London School of English revealed that only 23 per cent of them are offering training to allow staff to gain a better grasp on the need to have a good cultural understanding of their trading partners.

Friday, 18 November 2011

Many staff hoping to boost their skillsets are struggling to do so without the support of their employers, according to a new poll of staff.

Research carried out by Accenture has found that 55 per cent of staff feel pressure to develop additional skills for career success, but only 21 per cent have gained these skills through employer training programmes.

The data, published in the Accenture Skills Gap Study and compiled following a poll of 1,088 workers, found that few have boosted vital attributes such as problem solving and analytical skills over the past five years.

Furthermore, only 53 per cent of workers who are currently unemployed say they understand which skills are likely to be in demand in the next five years.

David Smith, managing director of Accenture Talent and Organisation, said there is an "escalating talent crisis" and employers should not assume that workers have the resources or knowledge to acquire all the skills they will need.

He noted: "Our study shows that workers are prepared to improve and expand their skills, but they're not receiving sufficient support to develop those skills. In addition to investing in training, employers will have to become more transparent about their talent requirements and more creative about leveraging the skills they already have."

Recently, Judith Armatage, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation's director of professional development, said the recruitment industry is starting to adopt a mindset of continuous improvement, which is reflected in a surge in demand for training, mentoring and qualifications.

A large proportion of British staff are not currently happy with their job and are looking elsewhere for another role, the latest report has revealed.

Research carried out by Train4Trade Skills shows that 28 per cent are not satisfied with their current job and only one in four have no plans to change their career over the next five years.

The research, carried out among 1,200 British employees, also discovered that just 39 per cent of staff are in their ideal job.

Overall, 64 per cent of UK employees believe a decent salary is key to career satisfaction, with 59 per cent valuing a sense of achievement in their work and 46 per cent wanting flexible working hours.

Interestingly, not every worker thinks salaries equate to greater job satisfaction, with only 24 per cent of those earning between £25,000 and £29,999 dissatisfied in their job, compared to 27 per cent who earn between £35,000 and £49,999.

Mike Head, a spokesman for the organisation, said that while pay is deemed important, it is interesting to see that big salaries do not always equal career satisfaction.

"People are looking for flexible hours and doing work they enjoy and are keen to find a career that offers these benefits," he added.

It comes after a new poll of 700 workers by Hays recently found that almost half of those in sales jobs and other roles believe salaries are not as competitive at SMEs as larger firms, while 55 per cent think smaller businesses cannot offer as many benefits.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK salesjobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Thursday, 17 November 2011

The offer of flexible working can help organisations to attract the best candidates into sales jobs and other positions, according to one specialist who has noted the lifestyle benefits of the practice.

Jonathan Swan, research and policy manager at Working Families, said flexible working is also good for employers, as if people have a better work-life balance they tend to be more productive at work, more committed to their employer and enjoy better relationships with their colleagues, making them less likely to leave, he noted.

The expert added that flexible working is good for wellbeing, as there is plenty of research and studies that show the more control people have over their working life, the happier they are as a person.

"People are more likely to choose to work for an employer that offers flexible working than one that doesn't. They will go to the employer who offers the best terms and conditions in terms of flexible working," Mr Swan noted.

This, in turn, means employers that can match the demand will do well because they stand to attract the best people.

Wednesday, 16 November 2011

The coalition can help to tackle the problem of youth unemployment by incentivising small business to take on new staff by offering a National Insurance holiday.

That is the opinion of Kevin Green, chief executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, following today's announcement that one million young people in the UK are now in unemployment.

Rather than being disheartened by the figures, Mr Green said it is an opportunity to help implement new initiatives to create new sales jobs and other roles to help stimulate the employment market.

"The other priority is to address the supply side and the current skills mismatch in our jobs market. This is not just an area for government action; the business community can play a key role," he explained.

Mr Green said this could be achieved through working with schools and young people's charities in order to raise awareness and aspirations among young people in the UK.

For all of the latest sales industry news visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk. If you are looking to hire in your sales team Aaron Wallis offer the UK’s most inclusive sales recruitment service which includes skills testing, psychometrics and a 12 month rebate scheme as standard. For Sales Director jobs visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk.

Temporary staff display just as much loyalty to their organisation as the permanent staff they work alongside, but many managers are failing to spot this trait, a new report has revealed.

Research carried out by Hudson revealed that the majority of managers think agency staff are often more focused and reliable than the permanent employees in their ranks, but are dubious about their loyalty.

However, the same survey, which measured the opinions of bosses, temporary workers and permanent staff, found that loyalty levels were exactly the same regardless of whether a worker was permanent or not.

When questioned about whether they would go permanent for the right role, 71 per cent of contract workers said they would do so – something that Mike Game, chief executive of Hudson Europe, said bosses should take heart from.

"Contractors are more than just an asset for productivity and business performance. Not only are they strongly motivated to hit the ground running from day one, they are keen to be part of the social fabric, without the hassle of office politics," he explained.

Mr Game said it is clear that some employers underestimate the loyalty and commitment of their non-permanent workers.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK salesjobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Tuesday, 15 November 2011

The demand for staff remains very strong in many sectors, and this is likely to continue in the months ahead, according to one expert.

Kevin Green, chief executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, said that although the latest Report on Jobs showed a slight decrease in demand for permanent jobs for the first time in over two years, there is still strong demand in many sectors and it is important that the jobs market is not overlooked.

"For example, over 50,000 permanent jobs are filled each month through recruitment agencies alone and over a million temporary and contract workers are on assignment in any given week," he explained.

Mr Green said the longer-term outlook remains more upbeat and there has also been an increase in the number of employers planning to recruit over the coming 12 months, which all bodes well for the jobs market.

It comes after recent research carried out by the CBI and recruitment consultancy Harvey Nash found that 47 per cent of employers are predicting that their workforces will be larger by next year, while just 19 per cent are expecting to downsize.

For all of the latest sales industry news visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk. If you are looking to hire in your sales team Aaron Wallis offer the UK’s most inclusive sales recruitment service which includes skills testing, psychometrics and a 12 month rebate scheme as standard. For Sales Director jobs visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk.

Monday, 14 November 2011

Managers hoping to get a little extra out of their team need to show more emotion in order to win trust and boost productivity, according to one expert.

Kevin Murray, chairman of Bell Pottinger, said that over the last 20 years leaders have learned to be more emotional in the way they interact with staff, as great leadership is about communicating the way people feel.

He explained that anybody who is coming into leadership needs to understand the key thing which they need to think about is winning trust.

"It is impossible to lead unless there is trust in place so how you generate trust is what leadership is all about and that's not only about giving trust first to people but it is also about listening to them, respecting them and understanding what their strengths are," Mr Murray stated.

In a recent survey of 1,400 chief executive officers and HR professionals by Right Management and the Chally Group, 92 per cent of those in sales jobs and other roles said that creating a strategic vision is one of the most important skills leaders should demonstrate when it comes to management.

Half of UK firms are currently planning to boost the number of workers they employ over the next 12 months, according to a new survey.

Research carried out by the CBI and recruitment consultancy Harvey Nash shows that 47 per cent of employers are predicting that their workforces will be larger by next year, while just 19 per cent are expecting to downsize.

Furthermore, small companies with fewer than 250 employees were far more likely to be looking to expand their workforce than larger ones, something described as "encouraging" by Dr Neil Bentley, CBI deputy director-general.

"It is encouraging that firms right across the UK are growing their workforces, especially smaller companies. We need to be doing all we can to get the UK working," he commented.

It comes after John Longworth, director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce, recently said that developing the capability of the UK's workforce, including those in sales jobs, is vital to ensuring that the country continues its recovery from the economic downturn.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK salesjobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Friday, 11 November 2011

New strategies implemented by companies to keep hold of their best staff have proven successful in recent times and have had in impact on churn, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Speaking at the organisation's annual conference and exhibition, chief economic adviser Dr John Philpott said the employment market is still dynamic, though new figures from the Office for National Statistics suggesting a fall in the number of people moving jobs are quite misleading.

He explained that the period in question (1998 – 2011) begins at a time when the UK economy was expanding rapidly and heading toward full employment and ends with the economy struggling to recover from a major recession.

Dr Philpott said the ONS figures would suggest that employers became gradually more successful at retaining staff as the boom progressed.

"The apparent paradox is explained in CIPD surveys which show increasing employer emphasis on staff retention strategies during the boom, encompassing both financial and non-financial improvements in working conditions," the expert added.

For all of the latest sales industry news visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk. If you are looking to hire in your sales team Aaron Wallis offer the UK’s most inclusive sales recruitment service which includes skills testing, psychometrics and a 12 month rebate scheme as standard. For Sales Director jobs visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk.

The recent positive manufacturing growth in the UK now needs to be reinforced, according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

New figures show that manufacturing output in September was 0.2 per cent up on the month and 2.0 per cent on the year, with many firms reporting a boost in job creation to cope with increased demand.

Commenting on the figures David Kern, chief economist at the BCC, noted they are better-than-expected and said that seeing the sector remain in positive territory despite difficulties in the eurozone and tough austerity measures in the UK is "reassuring".

"Last month's increase in quantitative easing was a good start, but it is not enough. Further efforts must be made, both by the government and the Bank of England, to implement credit-easing measures with a particular focus on small- and medium-sized firms," he explained.

Mr Kern added that the Autumn Statement at the end of November will provide the Chancellor with a prime opportunity to introduce more policies to support growth, and to reallocate priorities within the overall spending envelope.

The country's recruitment industry will continue to lead the way in placing people into sales jobs and other positions over the coming months, one industry body has noted.

That is the opinion of data, Kevin Green, chief executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), who said the recruitment industry will enjoy steady growth over the next four years as it helps clients create jobs and rebuild their talent.

He noted that the market remains tough, with recent growth in sales being accompanied by increased pressure on margins, so it is now crucial for UK businesses to recognise the importance of the sustainability of supply and quality of provision.

"A number of challenges lie ahead. However, the industry has consistently demonstrated its ability to overcome threats and to thrive. The latest survey is further evidence of this and we remain upbeat about the outlook for the UK recruitment industry," Mr Green added.

Recently, Mr Green noted that demand for both permanent and temporary workers is continuing to rise, though to sustain this increase it is important that the recruitment industry is backed by the government.

Thursday, 10 November 2011

Firms across the UK have been advised to take steps to ensure they do not get caught out by the effects of bad weather this year and avoid the turmoil caused by the snow and ice of winter 2010/11.

The Forum of Private Business (FPB) issued the advice to forecasters predicting an end to the unseasonably mild conditions across the UK towards the end of November, stating that SMEs can be particularly vulnerable to the impact of freak weather.

As a result, they need to start planning ahead by checking their premises are winter-proof, insurance is up to date, and contingency plans are well-thought-out in case staff can't get in to work.

The Met Office predicts that December is likely to start with severe frost, with the chance of snow for many areas closer to Christmas, while a recent YouGov Omnibus SME survey found that 13 per cent of small businesses said they were seriously impacted by last winter's bad weather.

Researchers also found that 34 per cent of workers experienced 'significant problems' getting to work last winter with ten per cent unable to get in at all at some point.

FPB head of campaigns Jane Bennett noted that disruptive snowfall hampers deliveries, triggers heating and power failures and can sometimes mean employees can't get to work.

"It's essential small businesses do all they can themselves to mitigate the impact, and being proactive now will mean not having to rush out a last minute reactive plan on the eve of bad weather, which may not be all that effective," she said.

Wednesday, 9 November 2011

The last year has seen turnover in the UK’s recruitment industry rise by over 25 per cent, according to the latest annual industry report by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).

In the organisation's Medium Term Forecast, it predicts single digit growth over the next four years, with the industry expected to peak at over £30 billion in 2014/15.

The report noted that turnover in temporary/contract staffing has returned to 2006/2007 levels at £22 billion, while permanent recruitment also rallied last year, representing a 37 per cent increase on 2009/10's levels.

Volumes of permanent placements rose by 38.3 per cent from 436,822 last year to 604,193 in 2010/11, while temporary posts were up 19.3 per cent to stand at 1,049,333, compared to 879, 000 last year.

The number of people working in recruitment has also gone up 13.1 per cent from 80,528 last year to 91,114 this year, the data showed.

Commenting on the data, Kevin Green, the REC's chief executive, said it once again demonstrate the resilience of the UK recruitment industry.

Tuesday, 8 November 2011

Younger members of staff are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs than older workers, according to a new global survey from Mercer.

The study asked for the opinion of a broad range of people in sales jobs and other roles about their contentment at work and their likelihood of leaving and found that workers aged 16 to 24 recorded scores of agreement that average ten percentage points higher than the overall workforce.

Additionally, scores for workers age 25 - 34 average five percentage points higher, though the data did presents an interesting anomaly.

According to the survey findings, workers aged 34 and younger are more likely than their older colleagues to be pondering an exit from their employer at the moment.

Chris Johnson, Partner in Mercer's Human Capital business, said the pattern of higher satisfaction among younger workers held true for many other key issues, including pay, performance management and careers.

This made their desire to leave their organisations all the more at odds with traditional views of loyalty, retention and engagement and present "a real dilemma" for employers.

"Do they simply accept that young talent is going to leave no matter what the organisation has to offer, or do they invest time and resources in an attempt to change the views and employment habits of their younger workers?" he added.

Although strategies will vary by company, Mr Johnson said it is "essential" to have a clear understanding of an employer's value proposition and then analyse what steps can or should be taken to increase the tenure of younger staff.

People who are leaving university need to think about how their CV can be tailored for each application if they are to boost their chances of landing their ideal job, according to one expert.

A spokesperson for universitiesnet.com, said that if sales recruitment candidates are seeking to bolster their CV ahead of applying for a role, then some work experience may go a long way to helping them.

Organising internship, volunteering or even temping is a useful way for a student to enhance employment potential, with it being best to look into applying for an internship early on in their penultimate year.

"As well as skills developed through work experience, graduate employers are interested where you may have demonstrated soft skills, such as communication, leadership, problem-solving and teamwork," he noted.

The representative added that people should think about where you may have had to call on these skills and be prepared to give examples of them.

Recently, the Successful CV Company advised sales recruitment hopefuls to ensure that their CV is succinct and attention-grabbing to maximise their chances of employment.

For some of the best CV advice and tips visit the career tools section of www.aaronwallis.co.uk. Stacked with hints, tips and advice the Aaron Wallis career tools section is the right solution for you.

Monday, 7 November 2011

A new focus on job creation around the world will help to rebuild confidence in governments and ensure that nations can continue their journey to economic recovery, one global organisation has claimed.

The International Labour Organization has welcomed the focus placed by the G20 Leaders Summit in Cannes on growth, jobs and social protection, in the context of expressions of global discontent with employment and social conditions in many cities and countries.

Director-general Juan Somavia said that G20 Leaders are connecting their macroeconomic agenda to policies for decent work and a better start in working life for young women and men.

"If pursued and implemented with determination, it will start to rebuild confidence among working people that governments are able and ready to manage the global economy in their interest," he added.

At the summit, the G20 also stressed its commitment to promoting and ensuring full respect of the fundamental principles and rights at work, and encouraged the ILO to continue to promote ratification and implementation of the eight fundamental ILO conventions.

For all of the latest sales industry news visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk. If you are looking to hire in your sales team Aaron Wallis offer the UK’s most inclusive sales recruitment service which includes skills testing, psychometrics and a 12 month rebate scheme as standard. For Sales Director jobs visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk.

Friday, 4 November 2011

Employers who place value in their staff and let them know how much they are worth to an organisation are likely to prosper as a result, according to one specialist.

Kevin Friery, clinical director at Right Corecare, said that staff welfare is often not given the priority it deserves by employers, and as a result some organisations are find it has a detrimental affect on business.

As studies have proven that happier and healthier staff result in better productivity and, subsequently, greater profit, Mr Friery said firms can learn a lot from this.

More employers are aware of the need for staff wellbeing, but many struggle with how to achieve it. In difficult economic times it is employers who realise the value of their staff, and work to enhance it, who will prosper," he explained.

Recently, Katharine Moxham, a spokesperson for GRiD, said that in times of increased economic pressure it is important for employers to consider the wellbeing of their employees and what wider implications are suggested by high levels of stress.

People can help to enhance their CV significantly by taking a career break, according to one expert.

Rachel Morgan-Trimmer, founder of thecareerbreaksite.com, said that there are some people who are less likely to take a career break at the moment because they are afraid of not being able to find another job.

However, there are also people who have been made redundant who are using the opportunity to take a career break and help to put something on their CV that will set them apart, she noted.

"We always tell people that when you have had a career break to put that on the top of your CV, because that makes your CV different from most of the other applications that the employers are going to get," the expert explained.

She spoke of many people having taken a career break and then being promoted when they get back, because they had the experience of things such as teamwork, communication or even language skills.

Beverley Woodhams, head of central recruitment at the University of Greenwich, recently said that it is important that people show off their specific areas of interest on their CV, as well as pointing out any work they have done that may have set them apart from their peers.

For some of the best CV advice and tips visit the career tools section ofwww.aaronwallis.co.uk. Stacked with hints, tips and advice the Aaron Wallis career tools section is the right solution for you.

Thursday, 3 November 2011

Many job candidates are not aware that they have several of the skills that employers are looking for, which could be holding them back in the employment market, according to one expert.

Charlie Ryan, owner of therecruitmentqueen.com, said that graduates in particular are often under the misapprehension that they are not qualified to fill certain positions.

The reality is that they have many of the traits the employer is looking for, and that they simply need to demonstrate these by alluding to their own experiences.

She elaborated: "They have worked to deadlines under pressure [and] especially in a lot of the part-time opportunities that they have done, they have been dealing with people - so their interpersonal skills will have been developed."

Ms Ryan added that many people are also failing to break down their CVs in line with competencies, which is a wise strategy for anyone who feels their skillset may not be as broad as the employer requires.

Meanwhile, the Successful CV Company recently advised that anybody moving from the public sector to the private sphere needs to ensure that their CV is succinct and attention-grabbing to maximise their chances of employment.

For some of the best CV advice and tips visit the career tools section of www.aaronwallis.co.uk. Stacked with hints, tips and advice the Aaron Wallis career tools section is the right solution for you.

Wednesday, 2 November 2011

Firms across the UK need to concentrate on creating jobs in order to boost economic recovery, and this can be achieve through the removal of red tape, according to business minister Mark Prisk.

At the Local & National Regulators annual conference this week, the minister noted that the coalition is attempting to scale back the amount of regulation which is holding back many firms from creating new roles to reduce unemployment and boost the UK's overall productivity.

He noted: "We understand that Britain's businesses need to concentrate on what they do best - growing their business, creating jobs and driving forward economic recovery.

"But when regulation becomes heavy-handed, inefficient, prescriptive and risk-averse it drags down the ability of businesses to grow, prosper and create jobs."

Mr Prisk noted that the challenge now is to transform the regulatory landscape so that the system delivers essential protection whilst avoiding "unnecessary interference" in the day-to-day work of businesses aiming to innovate.

This will, in turn, deliver the jobs and wealth that the economy needs to maintain its upward curve, he added.

For all of the latest sales industry news visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk. If you are looking to hire in your sales team Aaron Wallis offer the UK’s most inclusive sales recruitment service which includes skills testing, psychometrics and a 12 month rebate scheme as standard. For Sales Director jobs visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk.

Tuesday, 1 November 2011

A National Insurance Contributions (NIC) holiday could help to boost the number of people being employed in sales jobs and other positions, according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).

Kevin Green, the REC's chief executive, made the comments after his organisation wrote to business minister Mark Prisk, outlining its proposal to create a one year NIC holiday for SMEs taking on young people.

It follows discussions with Mr Prisk in October, after which Mr Green said the REC drew up "workable and practical proposals" for stimulating job creation and enhancing opportunities for young jobseekers.

"Tangible measures are urgently needed and it is hugely encouraging that the NICs proposal is now supported by other leading business bodies. As well as pushing for Government action, we will continue to showcase the positive role that the recruitment industry is playing through our Youth Employment Charter," he explained.

Mr Green said the initiative is proof the recruiters are willing to "make a difference by working with schools and colleges to raise awareness and aspirations amongst future generations of workers.

Last month, the Chartered Management Institute also claimed the government could help to boost UK recruitment by increasing National Insurance holidays and helping to plug the country's many skills gaps.